A Perspective on the Influence of Health Policy on Health Technology Use within the Arab World

Deana Ahmad ALMULHIM, Mowafa Said HOUSEH

Abstract

Health information technology (HIT) is a tool used to achieve hospitals’ goals and objectives for improving patient care. There has been considerable debate within the health informatics community about the role of health policy in shaping health information technology uptake within healthcare. Some argue that rapid advancements in technology have influenced the use of health information technology by healthcare institutions; whereas others argue that health policy shapes the use of health information technology within the healthcare field. Both arguments make valid points. With this debate in mind, the purpose of this position paper is to present an argument regarding the influence of health policy on the development of health information technology within the Arab World. In this paper, we argue that health policy strongly influences health information technology uptake within the Arab World.